Tired of your natural hair and at your wit’s end over constant care and maintenance? You’re done with detangling and finger combing and sectioning and all of it?
I feel you and I feel your frustration. I’ve been there a couple of times over the years myself.
No matter how you choose to handle the current frustration with your hair, do not reach out for a relaxer or texturizer as the solution.
Most people regret it almost immediately and want their natural hair back. Unfortunately, a relaxer or texturizer treatment is irreversible.
You will have to cut your hair and start again or transition. You remember how annoying the line of demarcation is, right?
So, what’s the solution? The solution when you’re tired of your natural hair is to take a break from it!
In this article, I break down 5 things you can do with your natural hair when you’re tired of it instead of relaxing.
Why Take a Break from Your Natural Hair?
Apart from keeping yourself from reaching for relaxers:-
- Preserve your natural hair.
- Take a break from the stress of hair maintenance.
- Save yourself time.
- Save money from re-stocking your product stash.
What To Do When You’re Tired of Your Natural Hair
1. Braids
Braids are my absolute best favorite way to give my natural hair a break and curb any desire to texturize or relax.
Properly done braids can last up to 8 weeks when taken care of properly and if you redo the perimeter and edges, you can get them to last up to 12 weeks.
If you’re worried about itching, treat the braiding hair with vinegar before braiding, and use this handy DIY braid spray to keep any additional itches at bay.
And these days, you even have pre-stretched braiding hair available so you can braid your hair yourself and save quite a bit of money.
Pros of Braids
- Minimal maintenance.
- Lasts for up to 12 weeks.
- Many styling options.
- Optimizes length retention.
Cons of Braids
- Expensive but this is a one-time expense.
- Takes a long time to install depending on size.
- Places tension on the edges.
- Takes a while to take out.
2. Wigs
My current favorite way to take a break from my natural hair since I moved far away from my go-to braiders.
Wigs are even lower maintenance than braids plus you can take them off at night to give your hair some breathing room.
You also don’t have to worry too much about frizz when washing your hair on weekends because the wig is going to cover up the frizz.
There are many different kinds of wigs available – braided wigs, straight hair wigs, curly wigs, and more.
You can find some excellent wigs customized to your requirements on Julia Hair and Etsy.
And in the best of both worlds, you can now get Braided Wigs.
Related Content: Best Wig Grip Headband
Pros of Wigs
- Minimal maintenance.
- Easy to install.
- Good wigs last for years.
- Optimizes length retention.
Cons of Wigs
- Can be expensive if you want the best but you can get cheap ones that last a few months at the BSS.
Related Natural Hair Resources
3. Crochet
Unlike regular braiding, crotchet is a special type of weaving style used to install loose extensions into your own hair.
You can install any type of hair using the crotchet style with the foundation being your hair cornrowed underneath.
Once installed, all you have to do is shake out the hair every morning and you’re good to go for 4 – 6 weeks between installations.
Pros of Crotchet
- Minimal maintenance.
- Easy to DIY.
- Versatile in styles.
- Inexpensive and quick to install.
Cons of Crotchet
- Places tension on the edges.
- Can cause hair loss if not taken out carefully.
4. Faux Locs
Faux locs are a way to dread your hair for a short period without committing fully to dreadlocks.
They’re easy to maintain and give you a whole new look to play with while taking a break from your natural hair.
Faux locs are also a great alternative to braids. Faux locs can be installed using the crotchet style.
Note – do not install faux locs that are too heavy. They will pull on your real hair and cause damage.
Pros of Faux Locs
- Minimal maintenance.
- They older they get, the better they look.
- Faux locs can last for up to 16 weeks.
- Versatile with many styling options.
- Optimizes length retention.
Cons of Faux Locs
- Takes quite a while to install.
- If they are too heavy, they can cause hair loss.
- Sometimes, the locs can stick together but shaking out every morning should prevent this.
5. Head Wraps
Head wraps are the fastest and simplest solution for taking a break from your natural hair and you don’t need to pay anyone to try it out.
All you need is cornrowed hair and a wide range of head wraps to wear on your head.
You can have a different look every day with head wraps and basically no maintenance beyond cleaning your hair every 1 – 2 weeks.
Even better, you can get pre-tied head wraps and save yourself more time. Check out 21 Plus Gorgeous Pre-tied Head Wraps for some great ideas.
Pros of Head Wraps
- No maintenance.
- Low cost.
- Versatile.
- Lasts as long as you want.
Cons of Head Wraps
- Can get expensive if you want to build a collection of head wraps.
- If tied too tightly, they can cause thinning around the edges.
- Headwraps can be uncomfortable when worn in the summer.
Between one or more of these five alternatives to relaxers, you can give your natural hair and yourself a break and try out a new look as well.
Usually, along the way, you will start to miss your natural hair and are happy to get back to it afterward.
If after trying out these options, you still don’t want to be a naturalista anymore, go ahead and do what makes you happy.
It’s just hair and at the end of the day, you can always grow it back!
Abi is a curly hair expert, researcher, product tester, and author of the highly-rated Healthy Hair Care Series. She is also the founder of Ade Ori Hair Care, Healthy Natural Hair Products, and Natural Oils for Hair & Beauty. HNHP has strict editorial standards and ensures all the information on Healthy Natural Hair Products is the best for natural hair care. Learn more about our Editorial Policies
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